News on the Homefront
 

Some of you recall a thread I started last summer about my brother and his diagnosis with Lymphoma. He had Stage 4 and after agressive treatment at Mayo Clinic (which is 6 hours from where he lives), he seemed to respond well to treatment. However, we just learned this week that he has relapsed and the situation is very serious.

He is now looking at a 6 month hospital stay due to the type of treatment and bone marrow transplant etc... He is nearing financial dissaster due to the time out of work he has already had and now it will be impossible for them to keep the house. It is really sad to watch all this unfold....it is not as if he and his wife and two young daughters asked for this.

I know all too well what he is going to face as the situation is earily similar to what we faced with my daughter back in 2000. I know first-hand that living in a hospital for 6 months hours from home sucks beyond belief, then, to loose everything you have worked hard for all your life, is a double whammy. No matter if my brother survives or not, his family faces certain financial ruin. Every man wants to be able to provide for their family.

His wife and kids will be moving in with us for the most part as they will be splitting their time between us and another brother. We just had them with us all weekend and they are coping pretty well, but this si likely to be a rough week.

Cancer sucks!

I hope everything works out for the best. I hope there is some way something can be done to keep the house, and I hope he regains his health and can get back to mainly the person he was before. Hearing this has made me sad, i can only imagine what you and your family are going through. Prayers and wishes going out to you.

Hope everything goes well. Have faith!

Im very sorry to hear this. I kinda know what youre going though, I lost my wife of 20 years to Cancer in 2002.

If there is anything and I mean anything I can do to help: POST UP!!
I know in a time like this that words dont mean much but family, friends, and your faith will help get all of you though this.

Our prayers are with you and your whole family.

Very sorry about your brother. I wish you and your family all the best during this trying time. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know.

I wish the best for your brother and your family during this difficult time.

It pains me to hear about the financial dissaster that your family is going through due to medical costs. We as citizens of the United States should never stand for this. Universal health care should be a right that all of us should fight for. To go into financial ruin due to an illnesses saddens me deeply.

Sorry to hear that Blake :(

wow this is so sad. I am very sorry to hear this. I wish your brother and his family only the best!! You all will be in my thoughts and prayers!!

Hey guys, thanks for all the fine thoughts.....this has been a rough week for my bro and all of us.

Just to be clear, based on an earlier comment, my brother financial issues have not as of yet been caused by medical expenses as much as he has not been able to work. He works for a Fortune 500 company, they have pretty good insurance, but crappy-ass longterm dissability which only pays 50 to 60%. Sure, it is better then nothing, but try having responsibilities and then having your income cut in half while at the same time having expenses increase.

sorry to hear this. Hope the best for you, your brother and the whole family